Orson Boy
Name Meaning & Origin Pronunciation: OR-sun //ˈɔːrsən//
Origin: Latin; English
Meaning: Latin: bear; English: from the name Orson
Historical & Cultural Background
The name Orson is derived from the Latin word "ursus," meaning "bear." This etymological root reflects a connection to strength and bravery, as bears are often symbolic of these traits in various cultures. The name likely entered the English language through Old French, where it was adapted as "Orson" in the medieval period.
The transition from Latin to Old French and then to English illustrates the linguistic evolution influenced by the Norman Conquest in the 11th century, which brought many Latin-derived names into English usage. Historically, the name Orson gained prominence in the 16th century, notably through its association with notable figures such as Orson Welles, who was a significant figure in film and theater during the 20th century.
However, earlier instances of the name can be traced back to medieval England, where it was occasionally used as a given name. The name's literary significance was further cemented by its use in various works, including the 19th-century novel "Orson's Folly" by the author William H.
G. Kingston, which contributed to its cultural resonance.
Culturally, the name Orson has been associated with creativity and artistic expression, particularly due to its connection with Welles, who is celebrated for his innovative contributions to cinema and radio. The name's strong, animalistic connotation has also made it appealing in various literary and artistic contexts, symbolizing a connection to nature and primal strength.
While diminutive forms such as "Orsy" may exist, the name Orson itself has maintained a distinct identity throughout its history, embodying a blend of strength and creativity.
Famous people named Orson
In this section, you will find notable people named Orson. We include individuals across a wide range of fields, including actors known for their work in film, television, and stage productions. You'll also find musicians, directors, and other public figures named Orson who have made a significant impact on popular culture.
We also feature individuals named Orson who have made meaningful contributions to science, politics, athletics, literature, and other areas of public interest.
Please note that not every baby name in our database currently has a famous namesake listed. If you would like to suggest a name we may have missed or submit a correction, feel free to contact us. We review and finalize additions and corrections within 24 hours.
Orson Welles is a director and actor best known for Citizen Kane, The War of the Worlds, and Touch of Evil.
Orson Bean was an actor and comedian best known for Being John Malkovich, The Twilight Zone, and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.
Fictional characters named Orson
The following list of fictional characters named Orson is a work in progress. If you would like to suggest an additional character, please send us the character's name along with a brief, one-sentence description of what they are best known for.
You may also submit corrections, which we will review and update as quickly as possible.
Orson Welles is a fictional character from the film The Third Man. He is a prominent figure in the story, known for his influential role in the development of cinema and radio.
Sibling suggestions
If you're looking for sibling name ideas that pair well with Orson, the following options are frequently chosen as complementary choices by parents.
Similar names
Based on our extensive baby names database, several names share stylistic or phonetic similarities with Orson. These names can serve as alternatives to the sibling suggestions listed above and may help you find the perfect complementary name for your growing family.
U.S. Historical Usage
The name Orson was first seen in the United States in 1880.
Orson has ranked as high as #2946 nationally, which occurred in 2023, and has been most popular in California, New York, Utah, Texas, and Washington.
In the past 5 years the name Orson has been trending up compared to the previous 5 years.
Popularity Over Time (National)
The name Orson is part of our comprehensive baby names database, which includes Social Security Administration (SSA) data dating back to 1880—the first official year of state and national tracking. The chart below shows when Orson was first recorded in the United States and illustrates how its popularity has risen and fallen over time.
Popularity Over Time (National) — Table
We track the national popularity of each baby name annually. The table below displays each year along with the number of births reported by the Social Security Administration. This data combines all state-level reporting from the SSA's baby names database to provide a comprehensive view of overall birth counts for Orson.
| Year | Total Births | Boy |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 126 | 126 |
| 2024 | 121 | 121 |
| 2023 | 132 | 132 |
| 2022 | 127 | 127 |
| 2021 | 98 | 98 |
| 2020 | 104 | 104 |
| 2019 | 105 | 105 |
| 2018 | 63 | 63 |
| 2017 | 73 | 73 |
| 2016 | 90 | 90 |
| 2015 | 66 | 66 |
| 2014 | 53 | 53 |
| 2013 | 42 | 42 |
| 2012 | 31 | 31 |
| 2011 | 34 | 34 |
| 2010 | 28 | 28 |
| 2009 | 23 | 23 |
| 2008 | 18 | 18 |
| 2007 | 23 | 23 |
| 2006 | 14 | 14 |
| 2005 | 13 | 13 |
| 2004 | 7 | 7 |
| 2003 | 11 | 11 |
| 2002 | 12 | 12 |
| 2001 | 9 | 9 |
| 2000 | 8 | 8 |
| 1999 | 8 | 8 |
| 1998 | 7 | 7 |
| 1997 | 7 | 7 |
| 1996 | 8 | 8 |
| 1995 | 7 | 7 |
| 1994 | 8 | 8 |
| 1991 | 9 | 9 |
| 1990 | 7 | 7 |
| 1989 | 6 | 6 |
| 1988 | 14 | 14 |
| 1987 | 7 | 7 |
| 1986 | 11 | 11 |
| 1985 | 7 | 7 |
| 1983 | 10 | 10 |
| 1982 | 9 | 9 |
| 1981 | 12 | 12 |
| 1980 | 13 | 13 |
| 1979 | 12 | 12 |
| 1978 | 12 | 12 |
| 1977 | 11 | 11 |
| 1976 | 18 | 18 |
| 1975 | 14 | 14 |
| 1974 | 19 | 19 |
| 1973 | 9 | 9 |
| 1972 | 8 | 8 |
| 1971 | 19 | 19 |
| 1970 | 24 | 24 |
| 1969 | 15 | 15 |
| 1968 | 9 | 9 |
| 1967 | 8 | 8 |
| 1966 | 13 | 13 |
| 1965 | 14 | 14 |
| 1964 | 6 | 6 |
| 1963 | 17 | 17 |
| 1962 | 11 | 11 |
| 1961 | 10 | 10 |
| 1960 | 8 | 8 |
| 1959 | 8 | 8 |
| 1958 | 21 | 21 |
| 1957 | 17 | 17 |
| 1956 | 19 | 19 |
| 1955 | 8 | 8 |
| 1954 | 14 | 14 |
| 1953 | 11 | 11 |
| 1952 | 13 | 13 |
| 1951 | 13 | 13 |
| 1950 | 15 | 15 |
| 1949 | 12 | 12 |
| 1948 | 8 | 8 |
| 1947 | 14 | 14 |
| 1946 | 18 | 18 |
| 1945 | 16 | 16 |
| 1944 | 18 | 18 |
| 1943 | 9 | 9 |
| 1942 | 7 | 7 |
| 1941 | 13 | 13 |
| 1940 | 22 | 22 |
| 1939 | 16 | 16 |
| 1938 | 9 | 9 |
| 1937 | 11 | 11 |
| 1936 | 13 | 13 |
| 1935 | 8 | 8 |
| 1934 | 16 | 16 |
| 1933 | 12 | 12 |
| 1932 | 11 | 11 |
| 1931 | 17 | 17 |
| 1930 | 13 | 13 |
| 1929 | 16 | 16 |
| 1928 | 15 | 15 |
| 1927 | 9 | 9 |
| 1926 | 18 | 18 |
| 1925 | 19 | 19 |
| 1924 | 26 | 26 |
| 1923 | 26 | 26 |
| 1922 | 21 | 21 |
| 1921 | 11 | 11 |
| 1920 | 18 | 18 |
| 1919 | 29 | 29 |
| 1918 | 23 | 23 |
| 1917 | 22 | 22 |
| 1916 | 21 | 21 |
| 1915 | 24 | 24 |
| 1914 | 15 | 15 |
| 1913 | 25 | 25 |
| 1912 | 10 | 10 |
| 1911 | 8 | 8 |
| 1910 | 7 | 7 |
| 1901 | 7 | 7 |
| 1899 | 5 | 5 |
| 1898 | 7 | 7 |
| 1896 | 8 | 8 |
| 1895 | 7 | 7 |
| 1892 | 7 | 7 |
| 1891 | 5 | 5 |
| 1888 | 7 | 7 |
| 1887 | 6 | 6 |
| 1886 | 5 | 5 |
| 1885 | 6 | 6 |
| 1884 | 6 | 6 |
| 1883 | 12 | 12 |
| 1882 | 9 | 9 |
| 1881 | 7 | 7 |
| 1880 | 7 | 7 |
Top States for Orson (2024)
We track the most popular states for each baby name every year and highlight the locations where the name appears most frequently. The table below shows the five states with the highest number of births for this name in the selected year. Use the toggle to expand the list to every state with reported births.
| State | Births | Share |
|---|---|---|
| CA | 8 | |
| NY | 8 | |
| WA | 7 | |
| WI | 6 | |
| FL | 6 | |
| IA | 5 | |
| IL | 5 | |
| MN | 5 | |
| TX | 5 |